Garifuna Youth Leadership Development Program

The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. has brought about change to improve the Garifuna community through a series or activities designed to build trust among community members, build the capacity of organizations serving Garifunas, develop leaders and provide access to community resources.

It has organized a coalition of New York City’s Garifuna community Leaders that represent the diverse Garifuna organizations in the City, by organizing people and resources around a common vision.

The nurturing and promotion of Garifuna pride is at the center of its community organizing initiative and in creating awareness and appreciation of the Garifuna culture and its contribution to the culture and society of New York.

The ultimate purpose of the Garifuna Coalition is to ensure that Garifunas in New York have access to resources and opportunities to improve their lives; the group feels it is critical to identify, develop and cultivate young leaders.  This will ensure that future generations of Garifunas not only have the skills and talent to support the coalition but also become community leaders and potentially New York City leaders.

Youth leadership development is key to building civic capacity and long-term community sustainability in Garifuna communities. Programs that teach useful skills and build the self-confidence of young people ensure capable, effective leaders for the next generation.

Additionally, recent national trends including an increase in youth civic service and new emphasis on civic education in schools indicate a growing need for leadership training to ensure young people are prepared to participate in civic life.

We are interested in involving Garifuna youth in community organizing by supporting them in identifying problems and taking action to achieve solutions.

We plan to engage Garifuna youths to jointly act in the interest of their community and the common good by learning how to take greater responsibility for the future of their communities, gain mutual respect and achieve growth as individuals.

Contact:

Sulma Arzu-Brown                                                        Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc                                            391 East 149^th Street, Room 215                                    Bronx, NY 10455                                                           Telephone: (718) 402-7700                                            e-mail: sulma.arzu-brown@garifunacoalition.org

Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc Announces First Annual Garifuna-American Heritage Month Essay Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2011

Contacts:      Sulma Arzu-Brown  (718) 402-7700                                info@garifunacoalition.org

Click here to watch video

New York– The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce the First Annual Domitila Flavia Fernandez Saravia Essay Contest to encourage Garifuna High School students to honor the Garifuna-American legacy by submitting an essay in its honor.

The Garifuna American legacy and history are inextricably linked to New York and marked by the strength, determination and vision of such notable individuals as William Henry Brown playwright of The Drama of King Shotaway, a play which is recognized as the first black drama of the American Theatre, which has as its subject the 1795 Black Caribs (Garifunas) defense of the Island of Saint Vincent against colonization, led by the Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer. It is also demonstrated by the late Domitila Flavia Fernandez Saravia,  a Garifuna woman who raised and educated ten children and served as the repository of the culture's ancient wisdom, even after migrating to New York City in the early 1980’.

Each student this year is to write an essay entitled “What does it mean to be Garifuna American?” telling in at least 350 words how they manifest Being Garifuna in the world today.

Students in grades nine through twelve are invited to participate in the essay contest. The deadline for essay submission is December 30th, 2011, 3 p.m. Students may submit their essays by email to the Garifuna Coalition USA, at info@garifunacoalition.org 

PRIZES: The prizes are sponsored by Ms. Domitila Flavia Fernandez Saravia;s daughter Araceli Nunez.

First-place winner receives $300. Second place receives $200. Third place receives $100.

• The essay must contain at least 350 words.
• The essay must be original.
• The essay must be typed and double spaced.
• The essay must have a cover sheet with your name, telephone number, high school and grade.
• All essays are due by December 30^th, 2011, 3 p.m.
• Winners will read their essays at the Awards Ceremony.

 All participants will receive certificates and contest winners must be present to receive monetary awards.

Essays will be judged on the following criteria: Originality: 25 percent; Clarity: 25 percent; Spelling: 25 percent; Grammar: 25 percent.

All participants will qualify to apply for the six-week Garifuna Youth Leadership Program planned for the 2012, which will include Garifuna History, Culture and Language

The awards will be presented during the Garifuna-American Heritage Month Ceremony on Monday, March 12, 2012

 Click here to download Entry Form